Hunter Pilot Sprayhood design

chrisclin

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Just bought a Hunter Pilot which comes without sprayhood. In view of the shift in the jetstream moving all the wet weather to Scotland, a cover over (at least) the companionway is vital, and I would prefer a full width sprayhood.
I have struck a deal with a manufacturer, but when they came to template the cover there was a bit of head-scratching because of the 'busyness' of the coachroof. The hatch slides forward a long way and isn't in a garage. It also has a pronounced lip on the forward end. There is an opening hatch over the inside help position to starboard and all the lines come back to a number of organisers on the port side.
I know that there are Hunter Pilots out there with Sprayhoods - does anyone have any suggestions as to how to design one? If anyone has a photo, that would be wonderful.
 
I've sailed a Hunter Pilot a few times and it's a lovely boat but on the one I sailed the sprayhood was just the wrong height. Sitting down I couldn't see over the deckhouse but standing up put the top of the spray hood right in my line of sight. I'm about 5' 8" so not especially short-arsed. I think the problem was that the roof of the sprayhood angled up from the front to get as much height as possible at the back end (it formed the front of a cockpit tent).
 
In case it's worth a thought, I'm a great fan of sprayhoods which just go over the companionway, not full width of the coachroof, as used on boats like Swans & 101's.

Maybe I'm pervy but they look sexy to me, also if with integral grab-bars keep going on deck a lot easier / safer.
 
Suggest you join the Hunter Association http://www.hunterassociation.org.uk/ who I'm sure will be able to assist you. They have a forum devoted to the Pilot 27.

Thanks I looked at the website and thought it was unused - the last postings seemed to be 3 years ago. However, I have looked again and missed the fact that access to most of it was restricted to members. I have just joined!
 

Thanks Lodesman. I missed those photos when googling. However, I can't work out how the lip of the companionway hatch passes under the sprayhood on either of these boats.
JimC's suggestion of asking on the Hunter Association website should help. I know the Westerly Owners website could produce 6 perfect solutions to any question you could ask on a Westerly (and maybe another half dozen that got hold of the wrong end of the stick completely!
 
I've sailed a Hunter Pilot a few times and it's a lovely boat but on the one I sailed the sprayhood was just the wrong height. Sitting down I couldn't see over the deckhouse but standing up put the top of the spray hood right in my line of sight. I'm about 5' 8" so not especially short-arsed. I think the problem was that the roof of the sprayhood angled up from the front to get as much height as possible at the back end (it formed the front of a cockpit tent).

I will raise that with the maker (no pun intended!) Thanks
 
In case it's worth a thought, I'm a great fan of sprayhoods which just go over the companionway, not full width of the coachroof, as used on boats like Swans & 101's.

Maybe I'm pervy but they look sexy to me, also if with integral grab-bars keep going on deck a lot easier / safer.

I would certainly consider a smaller sprayhood - that is what I got put on the last boat I had. It certainly achieved the primary function of stopping the rain going down the hatch but it doesn't stop you getting hit in the face from spray - and it doesn't give you lots of storage space to keep binoculars, pilot books etc.
As far as being more sexy, I didn't notice my boat being subject to a lot of attention (apart from the QE2 on a channel crossing who seemed keen on making a closer acquaintance - maybe she fancied my boat!)
 
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